Chapter 13

Parting ways:

Dust was almost to a covered area where the others had gathered when Major Mendoza approached him. He shoved his hands in his pockets. She had been with Josie so she wasn’t aware of everything that had happened down below.

“Dust,” Mendoza greeted.

“Major,” he replied, unsure of how else to greet her.

He blinked when she smiled—if you could call it that. The corners of her mouth slightly lifted so he figured it was about as close to a smile as she ever got. His gaze moved to the others before returning to her face—as if sensing his impatience.

“The General asked that I create supply packs for each of you since you lost what you had when we took you. I’ve instructed that they be loaded onto the helicopters,” she said.

Dust blinked in surprise at the generous offer. “I… thanks. I know the others will appreciate it as well,” he added.

“I also wanted to give you a word of warning. Don’t go near the Asylum. General Troyfield… is very hostile to those who are different,” she said, her voice dropping to a quieter level as she took a step closer to him.

That might make trying to locate his aunt and uncle a bit more challenging if they were part of this Asylum complex.

“I’ll remember that and warn the others,” he acknowledged.

Major Mendoza nodded. “The helicopters will be leaving within the hour,” she instructed before giving him a hesitant, almost curious look.

Dust didn’t miss her strange expression and asked, “Is there anything else?”

Her lips twitched before she grew serious. “You are a very strange young man, Dust. I have to say that I feel more hopeful for the future of our planet knowing you and others like you are out there,” she murmured.

This time it was his turn to smile. “That would have shocked some of the teachers at school, not to mention about ninety-eight percent of the student body,” he chuckled self-deprecatingly before he returned her solemn gaze. “You’re one of the Others, too. Maybe we were changed to help make the world a better place. My dad used to say that sometimes starting from a clean slate allows you to move forward without all the baggage. Of course, he usually said that when my mom talked about moving closer to her brother. They had a lot of stuff on the farm,” he finished on a wistful note.

“Your parents sound like good people,” Major Mendoza murmured.

Dust blinked and nodded. “They were. Did you have any family, Major?” he asked, suddenly curious.

A sad expression crossed her face before she could mask it. “My husband and four-year-old daughter,” she said before she turned away. “I’ll instruct the crew where to drop you off.”

Dust watched the Major walk away. Her back was ramrod straight. Looking around the area, he was reminded that while he had lost his parents, many of those who lived here had lost much, much more. He looked at Sammy and Todd. Todd was excitedly talking, his hands waving in the air as he described something that he’d seen in vivid detail. He couldn’t imagine losing them now that he’d met them.

With a shake of his head, he pushed the thought away. He’d promised to protect them and he would do everything he could to keep his word. He pulled his hands from his pockets and walked over to the others.

They grew quiet when he entered. Dust turned his gaze to the makeshift bed where Josie was sitting. She gave him a rueful look before lifting the supplement drink to her lips. He raised an eyebrow when he saw six empty cans on the table next to her.

“Wow,” he murmured.

Josie lowered the can in her hand and placed it next to the others. She shrugged and pushed a handful of red hair back from her face. She gazed into his eyes.

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“Please tell me again that I’ll never, ever, in a million, gazillion, ad infinitum years have to deal with those bugs again,” she said, breaking the growing tension within the group.

Dust chuckled. “They’re toast,” he acknowledged.

“Thank goodness,” Josie breathed, leaning back and resting her hands on her stomach.

He pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket when no one said anything. He didn’t miss the way they were avoiding his gaze. He debated on what to say. He’d never been any good at starting conversations.

“Martha, Denise, Randolph, and I are staying here,” Raymond suddenly said.

Dust blinked in surprise. “Okay,” he responded, unsure of what else to say.

“I’m not. I hate being underground,” Josie announced.

He nodded and turned a questioning look at Sammy. His stomach clenched when he saw her hesitation. The feel of a pair of arms around his waist drew his attention. Pulling his hands out of his pockets, he wrapped an arm around Todd’s shoulders.

“We’re going with you, Dust, aren’t we, Sammy?” Todd stated.

“Yes, we are,” Sammy said. “I’m like Josie. I don’t really care for being underground.”

He released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. A smile grew on his lips and he nodded. He turned and looked at Raymond.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done. It… I’m glad we met,” he said in an awkward tone.

“The pleasure is mine, Dust. You are an exceptional young man. I hope we meet again someday,” Raymond replied, holding out his hand.

Dust released Todd, stepped forward, and shook the older man’s hand. He turned to Martha when she sniffed and held out her arms. Slightly embarrassed, he stepped into her embrace. He awkwardly patted her on the back.

“Thank you so much for saving us, Dust. Protect Josie, Sammy, and Todd,” Martha instructed in a voice that quivered a bit.

“I will, ma’am,” he promised.

He turned and looked at Randolph again. He was standing next to Denise and holding her hand. Josie’s brother held out his hand. He grabbed it and shook it. Dust gave Randolph a smile when he saw the guilty expression on Josie’s brother’s face.

“It is safer for Denise here. Raymond and Martha are the only family she has now, and well, the General said that Portland wasn’t exactly friendly for people like us,” Randolph awkwardly defended.

“Yeah, things might get a little difficult. I need to at least try…,” Dust said. “I’ll watch out for Josie.”

Randolph released a strained laugh. It was obvious that Randolph was having a hard time with his decision. Over the last few months, Randolph and Josie had not only grown closer, but had grown to respect each other.

“Thank you,” Denise murmured.

Dust nodded, surprised when the other woman released Randolph’s hand and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a brief, hard hug before releasing him with a self-conscious sniff. Randolph immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her protectively close to his side.

“Those that are going to Portland need to get loaded. We lift off in five,” one of the helicopter pilots said behind them.

Todd grabbed Dust’s hand. He squeezed it reassuringly when Todd clung to him. Sammy took a step toward Josie to help her up. Josie shook her head and grinned.

“I’m good. That stuff may taste like shit, but it packs a punch,” Josie commented, sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the cot. “I’m ready to leave this place.”

Dust saw a pained expression cross Randolph’s face at Josie’s callous statement. Josie had the grace to look remorseful. She paused in front of her brother and playfully punched him on the shoulder.

“Make sure they don’t assign you to anything mechanical,” she teased.

“With my luck, it will either be kitchen or latrine duty,” Randolph softly retorted. He looked at Josie silently before he pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry for hurting you, Josie.”

Dust could see the shimmer of tears in Josie’s eyes. She wasn’t quite as composed as she was pretending to be. Several loud sniffs told him that Josie wasn’t the only one getting emotional.

“I love you, bro. Be safe,” she whispered before pulling away and wiping her eyes.

“The human said it was time to leave. Are you coming or not?” Daciana impatiently demanded.

Dust nodded and turned. Sammy and Josie followed behind him. Daciana frowned when she saw the others gathered in a group watching them leave. Dust motioned for her to follow them.

“Are they not coming?” Daciana asked.

“No,” Dust replied.

“I’m surprised the boy and the girl you like are coming,” she replied.

Todd looked around Dust and shot Daciana a glare. “We go where Dust goes,” he stated.

Daciana raised an eyebrow. “I see you’re still as hostile as you were before,” she commented.

“Yep,” Todd replied with a sharp nod.

“Todd, come stand by me,” Sammy ordered, shooting Daciana a heated look of her own.

Daciana tilted her head. “I believe my life was easier when I only wanted to kill everyone,” she reflected.

“I’m beginning to like her,” Josie chuckled as she passed by them.

Dust stopped and looked at Josie before he focused on Daciana. The She-Devil wore an innocent expression that didn’t fool him one bit. He finally shook his head and walked over to the helicopter pad.

* * *

“We need you two on this one,” the pilot ordered, pointing to the second helicopter.

Dust wanted to protest, but Daciana, Sammy, and Todd had already boarded the first helicopter. He reluctantly followed the pilot. He waited for Josie to climb on board before he stepped on the skid and pulled himself into the large, dark green aircraft.

He nodded when one of the crewmen yelled instructions. He pulled on the black helmet, blinking when he heard a voice in his ear instructing him to pull his straps on. Glancing over at the other helicopter, he was surprised when he saw Sammy helping Daciana. She looked up and caught his surprised stare. A crooked grin curved her lips before she shrugged and sat back down in her seat.

I really don’t understand girls, he tiredly thought before a new realization struck him. He was now stuck with three of them!